Everyone at ILF Scotland was deeply saddened to hear the news that David McDonald, the Chair of the ILF Scotland Northern Ireland Advisory Group, passed away peacefully in hospital on the evening of Friday 21 August 2026. He will be greatly missed.
David was a leader in the Northern Ireland independent living movement, whose voice, insight and determination helped to shape and strengthen that movement over many years. He made an enormous contribution to the advancement of human rights and disability equality in Northern Ireland and beyond. He championed the principle that disabled people should have the same freedom, choice, dignity and opportunities as everyone else.
As David himself said, “Life is not about being stuck in a room, life is not about being stuck in a bed, life is not about being stuck in a house pointing in one direction for 2 or 3 hours at a time. Life is about living, like everybody else lives, and that’s all I’m asking for. I’m not asking for the world here, I’m just looking to live a life like anybody else might live it. That’s my raison d’etre.”
View David speaking at the Inaugural Joint Stakeholder event at Stormont, 2019
Peter Scott OBE, ILF Scotland Chief Executive Officer, said:
“As Chair of the ILF Scotland Northern Ireland Advisory Group, David provided outstanding leadership. He was respected by Advisory Group members, colleagues, stakeholders and policymakers alike. He spoke with conviction and authenticity, firmly grounded in lived experience, and with an unwavering belief in what disabled people could achieve – with, critically, the right assistance. David spent his life advocating for the right to the assistance disabled people needed so that everyone, including those with the most significant needs, could lead a good life.
“Those of us who knew David will remember much more than his professional achievements. We will remember his warmth and kindness, his sense of humour and his cheeky smile. David had a remarkable ability to bring people together, constantly keeping us all grounded in the reality of the here and now for him and other disabled people. David will forever be sitting on my shoulder, reminding me of these realities and of why our role in ILF Scotland is so critically important. And I will be eternally grateful to him for that.”
Anne-Marie Monaghan, Chair of Board of Directors at ILF Scotland, said:
"I was so very sorry to learn of David McDonald's passing.
“Through my engagement with the Northern Ireland Advisory Group, I have had the privilege of seeing first-hand the contribution David made to the work of ILF Scotland and to the wider independent living movement. He was a thoughtful and highly effective leader. He chaired with patience, integrity and a deep sense of purpose, ensuring that discussions remained grounded in the experiences and priorities of disabled people and their families. He was never afraid to challenge, but he always did so with respect, generosity and a genuine desire to make things better for others.
“What stood out most for me about David was the relentless commitment he brought to every conversation. Whether discussing policy, service delivery or the future of independent living more broadly, he consistently reminded us why this work matters: because behind every decision are real people striving to live ordinary lives with the same opportunities and aspirations as everyone else.
“David's leadership of the Northern Ireland Advisory Group earned the admiration of colleagues across both Northern Ireland and Scotland. His insight, wisdom and determination enriched our discussions and helped strengthen the relationship between our two nations' advisory groups and beyond.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors of ILF Scotland, I offer our sincere condolences to David's loved ones. We are grateful for the time, energy and expertise he devoted to ILF Scotland, and for the lasting impact he has made on all of us who were fortunate to have had the opportunity to work alongside him. We will strive to honour his legacy, and may he rest in peace."
Jim Elder-Woodward OBE, Chair of ILF Scotland Advisory Group, said:
"I was deeply saddened to learn of David McDonald's passing. David was a passionate advocate for disabled people and a highly respected comrade whose commitment to our independent living movement never faltered.
“Over the past 11 years, I have had the pleasure of working with David through the Scotland and Northern Ireland ILF Advisory Groups – attending events, talking to politicians, participating in joint meetings, and sharing insights from our respective experiences. We were united by a common belief in the critical importance of the Independent Living Fund and its role in enabling disabled people to participate in their communities, contribute to our society, and live full and meaningful lives of purpose.
“David and I shared an ambition to see the Independent Living Fund reopened and available once again to those who could benefit from it – our most disabled citizens. While, thankfully, that ambition has now been realised in Scotland, David remained steadfast in his determination to secure the same opportunity for disabled people in Northern Ireland. His dedication to that cause was unwavering, and reflected his deep commitment to equality, human rights and independent living.
“Like me, David understood, from his own life experiences, the transformative impact that ILF can have in people's lives. For, through living those lives, they transform the lives of the communities to which they rightfully belong. He championed the principle that disabled people should have the assistance they need to live with dignity. He worked tirelessly to advance that vision.
“David's insights and determination earned him the respect of colleagues from across the disability rights and independent living movement and beyond. On behalf of the Scotland ILF Advisory Group, I extend our love, respect, and gratitude to David for his significant contribution to our movement. We will remember him for his advocacy, and for all of his considerable efforts to ensure that disabled people are able to live with choice, dignity and purpose. We will honour his legacy by continuing to champion those values, and by supporting the aspiration he held so dearly: that disabled people in Northern Ireland, and elsewhere, should have access to the opportunities which the Independent Living Fund can provide."
Caroline Wheeler, Vice Chair of the ILF Scotland Northern Ireland Advisory Group, shared the following tribute:
“It is with great sadness that I pay tribute to my dear friend and colleague, David McDonald, Chair of ILF Scotland Northern Ireland Advisory Group.
“David was so much more than a Chair and colleague to me. He was a friend, a source of wisdom, encouragement and, at times, much-needed cheeky humour. I feel incredibly privileged to have worked alongside him and to have shared the journey with him.
“As Chair of the ILF Scotland Northern Ireland Advisory Group, David brought commitment, integrity and compassion to everything he did. He understood that behind every decision, every meeting and every policy were real people, real lives and real hopes for a better future. He never lost sight of that cause – he lived it every day.
“David believed passionately in the rights, independence and voices of disabled people. He understood the importance of ensuring that people had choice, control and the opportunity to live their lives on their own terms. His leadership was never simply about holding a position – it was about making a difference.
“For me personally, working alongside David as Vice Chair was an honour. I learned so much from him. He had a way of listening carefully, challenging thoughtfully and encouraging others to have confidence in their own voice. He could bring perspective to difficult situations and somehow make even the most challenging days a little easier.
“But perhaps what I will remember most is David the person. His friendship, his kindness, his cheeky humour and the conversations we shared will stay with me. There are people who come into our lives for a reason, season and a lifetime. David was a lifetime and he leaves an impression. David was one of those people.
“His contribution to ILF Scotland and to the wider independent living movement will not be forgotten. The work he supported, the people he championed and the difference he made will continue to be felt.
“I know that I speak for many when I say that David will be greatly missed. His absence will be felt around the table, the empty wheelchair space, in our discussions, in the work we continue to do and, most importantly, in the lives of the people whose rights and independence mattered so much to him.
“As Vice Chair, I will carry forward the memories of our time working together, but more importantly, I will carry forward the values that David demonstrated so strongly – compassion, equality, independence, dignity and the belief that every person should have a voice and the opportunity to shape their own life.
“Thank you, David, for your friendship, your leadership, your laughter and everything you gave to me and everyone at ILF Scotland.
It was an honour to call you my colleague.
It was a privilege to call you my friend.
You will never be forgotten. Rest peacefully, David.”
